Synthetic turf pitches with rubber granulate infill: are there health risks for people playing sports on such pitches?

Abstract

The presence of carcinogenic substances in rubber granulate made from old car tyres raised concerns that the use of this granulate as infill on synthetic turf pitches may cause leukaemia and lymphoma in young football players and goalkeepers. Limitations in a number of prior studies on the topic casted doubts on their conclusion that it was safe to play sports on such pitches. Rubber granulate samples from 100 Dutch synthetic turf pitches were analysed for 45 (all samples) or 79 substances (a subset). A subset of samples was additionally analysed for migration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phthalates and metals into sweat and the gastrointestinal tract, and for evaporation of volatile substances into air. Exposure scenarios were developed to estimate the exposure of amateur football players via the oral, dermal and inhalation route to the most hazardous substances in rubber granulate. Risks to human health were assessed by comparing toxicological reference values for these substances with the exposure estimates. A number of carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic substances were present in rubber granulate used on Dutch pitches. No concern was, however, identified for phthalates, benzothiazoles, bisphenol A and the metals cadmium, cobalt and lead, as their exposures were below the levels associated with adverse effects on health. PAHs appeared to be the substances of highest concern, but even they present no appreciable health risk with exposures resulting in additional cancer risks at or below the negligible risk level of one in a million. Our findings for a representative number of Dutch pitches are consistent with those of prior and contemporary studies observing no elevated health risk from playing sports on synthetic turf pitches with recycled rubber granulate. Based on current evidence, there is no reason to advise people against playing sports on such pitches. Supplementary informationThe online version of this article (https:// doi.org/10.1038/s41370-018-0106-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorised users. 1234567890();,:1234567890();,:

Public Perceptions of Contentious Risk: The Case of Rubber Granulate in the Netherlands

“…This type of rubber granulate is called styrene butadiene rubber granulate (SBR). Car tyres contain various chemical, and potentially hazardous, substances, such as aromatric hydrocarbons (PAHs), various heavy metals, plasticisers and (semi-)volatile compounds [23]. Some of these substances are added to the rubber to create well-functioning tyres, and some are the result of the manufacturing process.…”

Tests of rubber granules used as artificial turf for football fields in terms of toxicity to human health and the environment

“…Additionally, BBP and DBP phthalates are classified as hazardous to the aquatic environment, according to the EC Regulation No 1272/2008 34 . Dangerous chemicals can get into the human body through the alimentary and inhalation route and through direct contact with the skin 17 , 25 , 37 , 38 . The routes of exposure are related to the nature of the activities performed, i.e.…”

Fate of recycled tyre granulate used on artificial turf

“…Previous human health concerns, based on the presence of heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and other organic substances in ELT granulate, have shown to be unnecessary. Several extensive risk assessments [8,29,34]), established that the chemical risk for humans, playing on artificial turf with ELT granulate, is negligible. However, ecosystems may be at risk because environmental quality criteria to protect ecosystems in soil have been exceeded for zinc, cobalt and mineral oil in several occasions [37].…”